The last time i bought a snowboard was probably 12+ years ago. After a 5 year hiatus, I have started to ride again a couple of times a season. I live in NE and end up at Stratton, Killington, Okemo, etc. I currently have a Burton Rippey 158.5.

Given the majority of my riding is in the icy northeast, which board is best for getting down the mountain with the least amount of drama? As I'm a lot older now, I do not bounce back from falls as quickly as I would like.

Technology has changed so much since my last board that I am getting confused with all the new jargon and options. I do not go to the park, do not go into the trees and do not even do any jumps. Just looking to update my gear as the edges are pretty well rusted out and I really had a had time carving a couple of weeks ago.

I am partial to Burton (brand loyalty can be a good or bad thing I guess) and went to the Burton store where the salesperson recommended the Process, the Nug and said if I were to get a "Flying V" Board to get the Antler. Trying to read up on these different boards, but can't seem to find anybody who has ridden them on the east coast. Any east coast riders out there who have tried any of these boards? Or any other suggestions?

Thanks. First time on this board...feeling like the old man of the group. :)

wrathfuldeity

02-23-2014 08:08 PM

I'd probably go with a Gnu rider's choice in a 154.5 or 157 depending on you weight and boot size....I'm 55, riding Baker 11 years at about 20-30 days/season, at 180# and size 7 feet... and would go with a 154.5. Its a good all round all mtn that offers a lot of control, has c2btx with regular full magnetraction.

SnowDogWax

02-23-2014 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrathfuldeity
(Post 1565769)

I'd probably go with a Gnu rider's choice in a 154.5 or 157 depending on you weight and boot size....I'm 55, riding Baker 11 years at about 20-30 days/season, at 180# and size 7 feet... and would go with a 154.5. Its a good all round all mtn that offers a lot of control, has c2btx with regular full magnetraction.

GNU Riders Choice is a good choice, also Rossi OneMag, LibTech TRS, each has Magne-Traction IMO a must on the Ice Coast.

Lamps

02-23-2014 11:26 PM

If you hate ice, stay with camber, e.g burton process or custom. Good reliable boards.

If you hate ice to the point that you stay off the hill, then you could get a Flying V board, again either custom or process are good choices. Or for more fun, playful riding antler is good. Or if you don't mind ice and want to prioritize fun then the same applies, just know that edge hold is reduced for non camber burton boards.

If you hate ice but want to slay it and win the battle vs the evil ice, the burton custom X has best edge hold but it's a stiff board for charging.

If you want to have fun spinning around and so forth, the Nug is lots of fun.

Do some demos if at all possible.

shreddog

02-24-2014 07:24 AM

Thanks for the replies! I will take a look at the Gnu boards, but I already have Burton bindings (from a long time ago, but I believe they sell a converter plate that will work the new binding mechanisms). I really don't want to have to buy all new gear for one or two trips a year.

LAMPS - when you say "but it's a stiff board for charging", does that mean it's harder to control at speed? I thought stiffer meant more responsive and would therefore be easier to control at speed. Should a be looking softer boards?

Thanks again, learning so much by reading through this forum!

shreddog

02-24-2014 07:46 AM

With the Antler, would going longer increase my effective edge enough to make up for the lost stability on the ice due to the flying v shape or would the increased length have some other side effect that would negate that benefit?

Does the light-weight help or hurt in terms of stability? I know it will certainly help the back when walking back and forth from the car!

wrathfuldeity

02-24-2014 08:43 AM

A stiff cambered board is great at blasting and feeling stable on ice...but blasting like 40-50+mph with less agility/turning...and will be playful while going fast :D.

A softer board with magnetraction (grips/edge in ice) and some rocker in the middle and camber in the nose and tail...will feel a bit squirrly when blasting/bombing ice...but will be able to be more agile, playful when not blasting.

But advanced skills will be able to handle either board.

shreddog

02-24-2014 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrathfuldeity
(Post 1566681)

A stiff cambered board is great at blasting and feeling stable on ice...but blasting like 40-50+mph with less agility/turning...and will be playful while going fast :D.

A softer board with magnetraction (grips/edge in ice) and some rocker in the middle and camber in the nose and tail...will feel a bit squirrly when blasting/bombing ice...but will be able to be more agile, playful when not blasting.

But advanced skills will be able to handle either board.

Ahhh, so "blasting" sounds a little faster than I would like to go. Perhaps I don't need as stiff a board as I think.

Lamps

02-24-2014 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shreddog
(Post 1566553)

LAMPS - when you say "but it's a stiff board for charging", does that mean it's harder to control at speed? I thought stiffer meant more responsive and would therefore be easier to control at speed. Should a be looking softer boards?

Thanks again, learning so much by reading through this forum!

A stiff cambered board is typically more controllable at speed and will hold well on ice, but it's not as easy to turn, and if you're lazy in the ankles your more likely to hook an edge. I have two flying V boards and a cambered board. My flying V Sherlock is in my opinion quite difficult to catch an edge with, even if you're careless. If I ride that board for a few days in a row and then switch back to the cambered board I have to pay attention as the cambered board isn't a forgiving and will make you pay if you're lazy.

Note that the sort of people who tend to ride the custom X know who they are, if you don't think if yourself as someone who likes to go very fast and carve hard you might find it too stiff and unforgiving.

Ideally you should demo a flying V board and a cambered board to feel the difference.

shreddog

02-26-2014 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowDogWax
(Post 1565785)

GNU Riders Choice is a good choice, also Rossi OneMag, LibTech TRS, each has Magne-Traction IMO a must on the Ice Coast.

I'm now considering going 1 of 2 ways:

1) Go with a Burton Antler for completely different ride characteristics

or

2) Replace my current board with a new/better handling board for the difficult north east terrain

While I like the idea of #1, having 2 boards for 2 different purposes is probably not practical since I don't go out that often.

If I go option 2, I have been trying to determine which board (not limiting myself to Burton) is a good combination of handling on ice while also being able to be used on powder (for my 1 trip a year our west - doesn't have to be great but usable)...Looked at the Gnu Rider's choice and the magne-traction. This new technology is awesome! How does it compare the Never Summer's answer to ice? I think it's called the SINTERED P-TEX SIDEWALL.

Thanks for opening my eye to the world outside of Burton. I'm just so used to my 2 previous boards that I automatically think...I'll just get another one! Also, IMO, Burton makes some nice looking boards.